Stomping in the Mud Play Group is a rich, natural outdoor play environment where children have the opportunity to play outside, rain or shine ... a chance for preschoolers to 'live in the moment' while learning through play.

Sunday, 30 December 2012

Our December has been a very damp and windy month making no shortage of mud and puddles to stomp through and explore! Water is much more than just another element for the children to experiment with. It naturally challenges and relaxes them. These are just some of the experiences offered to our little Stompers this month -- Enjoy!

Treasured hand prints waiting to go home.

Looking for spawning salmon.

If you look closely you can see several salmon with white markings on their backs.

Wednesday group decorating their cookies.

On the last two days of Stomping in December, before our winter break, a wind storm blew the heavy rain sideways at us. We made the rare decision to go inside to decorate our cookies.

Digging to China!

Thursday group decorating cookies.

May the year 2013 find you enjoying being 'outside in nature' more. We appreciate all the support, encouragement and positive comments from everyone all over the world, from our Stomping families and mostly to all of the children that enjoy Stomping in the Mud adventures with us...

Monday, 3 December 2012

With most of the leaves on the ground now November has come and gone. Winter is almost here, and it will bring the rain and cooler weather...perfect for stomping in the mud.

Enjoy!

Sculptures...a great way to use up old playdough!

This group had a wonderful time working together with the bark!

Playing in the forest on our way back from our forest walk. This log is always very appealing to climb on and over.

This day we walked a little further to what we call the Stick Forest...there are sticks and branches covering the forest floor!

Lots of little paths to explore here, too!

It didn't take the children long to start building and working with the sticks and branches.

The team work was exciting to watch develop...

We promised to come back again, soon !

Again, we headed back to the Stick Forest.

The children went right back to the same group of trees where they had started to build the week before...they had work to do!

This time we brought popcorn for snack to enjoy during story time in the forest!

The cooperative play was spontaneous, happy and natural.

The freedom to explore and play with sticks in this wonderful place was amazing to watch.

Again, we promised to return!

On our way out of the forest we walked along the creek looking for spawning salmon...

And, we soon found some!

This final picture is of some 'land art' that we found incorporating some beautiful mushrooms on the floor of the Stick Forest. It was something we all paused over, and wondered who might have made it. Quickly, and carefully, the children moved on to create their own stick creations. As always...thanks for Stomping by!

About Me

Hi there, my name is Dianne and the field of early childhood education has been my passion for over 30 years. Yes, I started in my early 20's. I recently retired from a preschool where I was the supervisor/manager for 23 years. In 2004, I was awarded the Prime Minister's Certificate of Achievement. I believe that preschoolers learn the most important things not by being told but by constructing knowledge for themselves in interaction with the physical world & with other children- they do this by playing. Play is natural. Last but not least, I am blessed to be granny to four grand daughters.